Webinar symbols and meanings

Webinar:

Why are Vascular Devices Prone to Biofilm Contamination?

This session will enable clinicians to understand biofilm contamination in vascular devices. In addition, speakers will discuss the obstacles to preventing, managing and eradicating biofilms in vascular access devices. Clinical strategies will be identified to reduce the impact of biofilm.

About an hour long

Speakers

Garth James, PhD, BS
Medical Projects Manager
Center for Biofilm Engineering

Garth James is the Medical Projects Manager at the Center for Biofilm Engineering and an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Dr. James has nearly 20 years of experience in biofilm research, including testing and research related to vascular access devices. He has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals, written several book chapters, and given numerous presentations at national and international conferences.

As an undergraduate student at the University of Saskatchewan in 1989 he worked with Dr. D.E. Caldwell, Dr. J.R. Lawrence and, Dr. D.R. Korber in pioneering methods for the growth and analysis of biofilms. During his PhD research at the University of Calgary, under the supervision of Dr. J.W. Costerton, Dr. James worked to further develop biofim analysis methods including laboratory model systems, scanning confocal laser microscopy, and computer image analysis. His PhD research focused on interspecies interactions between bacteria within biofilms.

Garth James is the Medical Projects Manager at the Center for Biofilm Engineering and an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Dr. James has nearly 20 years of experience in biofilm research, including testing and research related to vascular access devices. He has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals, written several book chapters, and given numerous presentations at national and international conferences. As an undergraduate student at the University of Saskatchewan in 1989 he worked with Dr. D.E. Caldwell, Dr. J.R. Lawrence and, Dr. D.R. Korber in pioneering methods for the growth and analysis of biofilms. During his PhD research at the University of Calgary, under the supervision of Dr. J.W. Costerton, Dr. James worked to further develop biofim analysis methods including laboratory model systems, scanning confocal laser microscopy, and computer image analysis. His PhD research focused on interspecies interactions between bacteria within biofilms.

Marcia Ryder PhD, MS, RN
Ryder Science
Medical Biofilm Research

Marcia Ryder's extensive experience in nursing includes positions as Clinical Director of a Special Care Unit and a Cardiovascular/Thoracic Unit, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Nutrition Support, and Director of Nursing in Home Infusion. Dr. Ryder received her nursing diploma from the Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, Pa. and her Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from the University of California, San Francisco. Her dissertation research investigated the effect of pulsed electrical fields on biofilm bacteria.

Dr. Ryder is currently an independent collaborative researcher and consultant in medical biofilm/healthcare related infections. She is a nationally recognized expert in the use and management of vascular access devices; served as past-president of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) and a former member of the FDA's Central Venous Catheter Working Group. She currently serves as Chair of APIC's Research Foundation's Scientific Research Council, as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for APIC's publication "Prevention Strategist" and a consultant to the FDA's General Hospital Panel. Dr. Ryder was honored as the recipient of the "2007 Educator of the Year" awarded by Infection Control Today

Session Learning Objectives and Content Highlights

1. Explain the obstacles to preventing, managing and eradicating biofilms in vascular access devices.
2. Identify clinical strategies to reduce the impact of biofilm.